*** UPDATE: ***JesseCASH has set up a donation page requesting assistance to go directly to Vic's family. Click here to be taken to the donation page. (via Kristin Hersh)
With a heavy heart, we can now verify that indeed, sadly, of one of the Athens music scene's most enduring figures, songwriter and guitarist Vic Chesnutt, has died. The cause of death is suicide.
Surrounded by family and friends, Vic Chesnutt died in Athens Georgia this afternoon, Friday 25 December at 14:59. Continue Reading...

Apparently, some Christmas Eve confusion about the condition of Athens songwriter Vic Chesnutt, who was reported to be in a coma on Thursday, has led to speculation about rumors surrounding his reported death. Stories have swarmed on Twitter and on various blogs this evening about his death. It now appears that two sources which carried notice about his passing, Billboard and Athens Blur, have pulled their stories.
Right now, we don't know what's going. Under whatever circumstances, we wish the best to Vic Chesnutt, his friends, family and many fans around the world this Christmas day. (HT: Brooklyn Vegan)
[Songs ...

The story of the 1970's teenage all-girl rock band The Runaways is one for the ages in both rock 'n roll and punk rock. To read it in print exposes one to the extreme highs and lows that life in the world of rock and roll and punk rock proffers its disciples. The notion of watching the story unfold on screen promises to engage those unfamiliar with The Runaways a slice of cinematic intrigue with the all-too-true story of Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, Sandy West and Lita Ford.
Picture, then, the story of four teenaged girls who form a ...

Two key recordings which serve as bookends to Elliott Smith's catalogue of solo recordings, Roman Candle (his first) and From A Basement on the Hill (ostensibly, his last), are being reissued by Kill Rock Stars on 6 April 2010. Roman Candle, Elliott's first album, was issued by Portland's Cavity Search Records in 1994. For the Kill Rock Stars reissue, Roman Candle been remastered by Smith family archivist Larry Crane. Crane, the respected long-time editor of Tape Op Magazine, served in several engineering capacities on Elliott's work over the course of his career, predominantly as owner and operator ...

Along comes a video for yet another totally ill track off Skewby's epic "Proving You Wrong Since 1988" mixtape which, if you don't have already, you can get by clicking here and downloading it, aiight?
Skewby - "Talk 2 em'"

With free downloads from St. Vincent, Deerhunter, Camera Obscura, The Mountain Goats and M. Ward just to name a few, famed UK label 4AD has unleashed a free downloadable sampler of their 2009 releases in time for the holidays. Follow the links above to listen or download from 4AD.

Editor's note: This is just a copy/pasta press release. I'm in a hurry & don't have time to detail my thoughts, but you should definitely mark your calendar and check this out.
Matisyahu’s Festival of Light to be Streamed as a Live Webcast via Ustream on Sunday, December 20!
The closing night of Matisyahu’s 4th annual Festival of Light, an eight-night run of shows in NYC during the eight nights of Hanukkah, will be streamed live from the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Sunday, December 20th, beginning at 7:45 p.m. EST. The live webcast is powered by Ustream, the leader ...

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS EXPLICIT PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - PLAY THIS VIDEO AT YOUR OWN RISK.
A new video has been released from Massive Attack's forthcoming Heligoland, a video which is likely to raise some eyebrows. The video for "Paradise Circus" features an interview with '70's porn icon Georgina Spelvin, providing color commentary over portions of her banned pornographic film classic, The Devil in Miss Jones. I found it tough to watch, but I post it in the hopes you'll find it enjoyable and interesting.

*if you don't mind us replacing the images or sound files you've hotlinked (without any notice at any time) with audio or photo content so disgusting that it will offend you, your readers and even us. You were warned. so don't hotlink.